ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Two case studies are introduced in this chapter, in part to illustrate the problems of the increasing population pressure on limited land resources in predominantly subsistence societies and, in part, to emphasize the extreme range of proposed responses to that problem. The first case study deals with the Himalayan foothills of Uttar Pradesh, India, concentrating on the Kumaun Himalaya. It is based on a paper prepared by M. J. Jackson (1983, unpublished) and presented at a conference on environmental strategies for the Himalaya, held at Nainital in October 1983. It involves a farmer-based strategy incorporating a minimum of 'outside' technology transfer. Its essence is the creation of local political will and self-help. The second case study deals with Nepal. It is essentially a large-scale technological 'fix' based upon careful survey of land, water, and vegetation-cover resources and population growth trends. It is taken from a paper prepared by J. P. Hrabovszkyand K. Miyan (1987) which, in tum, is the synthesis of three related studies undertaken for the National Planning Commission, HMG Nepal. These are: land-use plan; agricultural plan; and long-term food plan.
